Automated scoring system for table tennis

ABSTRACT

Described are systems and methods for automatically scoring a table tennis game. In particular, a system for automatically scoring a table tennis game may include a sensor, a microcontroller, a display, a speaker, a table tennis net support, and/or a power supply. Methods for automatically scoring a table tennis game comprise indicating that a serve may proceed; detecting a vibration or absence of a vibration formed by contact between a table tennis ball with a table tennis table and/or between a table tennis ball and a table tennis net; determining which player served; determining if a point should be awarded based on detecting a vibration or absence of vibration; modifying the score of a table tennis game; displaying the score of a table tennis game; determining if a sensor is operational; and/or playing a sound effect.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/011,188, filed Jun. 12, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Table tennis is a game of skill played by professionals and novices alike. Often times, a referee may not be available to officiate games, particularly when the games are not part of an organized match.

In light of this background, it would be beneficial to have an inexpensive, reliable, and automatic scoring system for table tennis games.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a table tennis table is fitted with a system for automatically scoring a table tennis game. In this embodiment, the system comprises a microcontroller unit with a table tennis net support and/or a net vibration sensor. Folding tables often contain a small gap between the two halves of the table. The table tennis net support, optionally housing a microcontroller is placed so that that the table tennis net is positioned at the center of such a gap. One sensor is placed on the underside portion of each half of the table tennis table at the center of the respective table half and is typically connected to the microcontroller by a connecting wire and plug. A net vibration sensor is placed to detect vibration of the net. Optionally connected to the microcontroller is a remote for turning the system ON and/or OFF, adjusting the number of points and/or players in the game, and/or manually adjusting the score or other aspects of a table tennis game. Optionally, the remote can be attached to the side of one half of the table tennis table in a position convenient for a player to access and manipulate.

Once the system is turned on, any player may begin the game by serving which is, for example, indicated by flashing the scores of all players. The system detects the play of the game and provides scoring and indicators according to the rules of the table tennis game variant being played. Sound and other effects may also be included. For example, during the game, the score facing a player may flash to indicate that it is that player's or term's turn to serve. Sounds may be played when a score or error is detected or when the game is over.

Methods for scoring a table tennis game are also disclosed.

The foregoing and still further aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a folding table tennis table fitted with one embodiment of an automatic scoring system.

FIG. 2 shows the location of two table sensors and one net sensor on a table tennis table and how the sensors are connected to a central unit in one embodiment of an automatic scoring system.

FIG. 3 shows a logic flow diagram of one embodiment of an automatic scoring system.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an electronic circuit that can be used in one embodiment of an automatic scoring system.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of one embodiment of the present system where the net is connected to a housing with a display.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to certain embodiments and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications, and such further applications of the principles as described herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art.

As discussed above, aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for automatically scoring a table tennis game.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a table tennis table is fitted with a system for automatically scoring a table tennis game. In this embodiment, the system comprises a microcontroller unit. The microcontroller may be integrated with and/or housed within a table tennis net support. A net vibration sensor is preferably configured to detect vibrations or the absence of vibrations of a table tennis net. Additionally, one sensor is placed on each half of the table tennis table at the center of the table half and connected to a microcontroller, for example via a connecting wire and plug.

Optionally, a remote is operably connected to a microcontroller for turning the system ON and/or OFF, adjusting the number of points and/or players in the game, manually adjusting the score or other aspects of a table tennis game. This remote can be placed in a position convenient for a player to access.

The system detects game play and applies rules of the version of table tennis being played to indicate the player scores and other aspects of game play. For example, once the system is turned on, any player may begin the game by serving, which is indicated by flashing the scores of all players, and the system detects player scores and errors as the game proceeds. Later in the game, only the score of the player or team who is to serve is flashed. At the end of the game, when a winning number of points is achieved by one player or team, a sound and/or lights are used to indicate that the game is over.

FIG. 1 generally shows a typical table tennis table fitted with the system of the present disclosure (300). In certain conventional tables, a folding table tennis table comprises two halves (301, 302), each half having an underneath side (303, 304). The table typically includes a support frame, including wheels, legs, and struts, or similar supports such as pedestals to support the table half. In certain embodiments, a folded table may be mobile in the sense that it can be moved on its wheels, for example for storage. Alternatively, a table tennis table may have a one-piece top defining both halves. Corresponding support structure for a one-piece table is then used. Alternatively, a conversion top may be used in aspects of the present disclosure. Conversion tops are table tennis playing surfaces that can be placed on pool or other tables to convert them to table tennis tables.

In the example embodiment shown, the system comprises a housing (306) for a microcontroller that is connected to a net (305). The microcontroller is connected to one or more sensors through connecting wires (308, 309), and is also connected to a remote (307), in this version through a wire (310), for manually adjusting the score of a table tennis game.

FIG. 2 generally shows the placement of one or more sensors on a table tennis table (401) in one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, a sensor (402, 403) is attached to the table tennis table's bottom in the center of each half of the table tennis table. Each sensor is connected to a plug (404, 406) which is inserted (407) into receptacles in housing (409). The inset image (410) shows an image of the placement of sensor (402, 403). Separately, a net sensor may be connected to a plug (405) which is inserted (407) into a receptacle in housing (409). A power supply can be connected to housing (409) by an AC adapter jack (408). Alternately, a battery-based power supply may be used.

In one embodiment, a system for automatically scoring a table tennis game played on a table tennis table comprises a power supply, a sensor, a microcontroller, a display, and a speaker.

Table tennis tables that can be folded in half may be used with the systems of the present disclosure. Such tables may leave a gap between the two halves of the table tennis table. When foldable tables are used with systems of the present disclosure, the systems may optionally be mounted such that the table tennis net support positions the table tennis net in the middle of a gap formed between two halves of a table tennis table. As examples, this may be a mounting point on one or both table pieces and spanning the gap, or alternately on a piece of the support structure adjacent to the gap. For a table tennis table with a one-piece top, the net and housing are typically mounted at the midpoint of the table.

FIG. 5 shows a housing with displays mounted to a table tennis table. In the illustrated embodiment, the net includes anchor points which can be slid or snapped into clips on the housing. Alternate mounting options, such as net with a sleeve or pocket which is placed over the housing, may also be used. In other embodiments, the housing may be configured to be placed on or associated with an existing net and post, so that the system can be added to various styles of existing table tennis tables.

Any suitable analog or digital circuitry may be used in embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, one or more digital microcontrollers may be used to control the automatic scoring system. Suitable microcontrollers include, but are not limited to microcontrollers produced by Texas Instruments and/or Atmel. Microcontrollers may include, but are not limited to, ATmega328 microcontrollers, and/or MSP430 microcontrollers. Microcontrollers may comprise or be connected to storage, for example, but not limited to random access memory (RAM) and/or non-volatile memory, for the storage of files including, but not limited to files, machine-readable instructions and/or sound effects. Microcontrollers may be programmed in any suitable manner, and in any suitable programming language. For example, a microcontroller may be programmed and/or reprogrammed via a serial interface such as a universal serial bus (USB).

Sensors employed for use in embodiments of the present disclosure typically include sound and vibration sensors. Such sensors may include, for example, microphones, piezoelectric transducers, and/or other sensors that can detect sound and/or vibration waves. In one embodiment of the present disclosure one or more sensors are mounted to the underside of a table tennis table and/or one or more sensors are configured and arranged to detect vibration of a table tennis net. Mounting may be accomplished by screwing, taping, gluing, or otherwise fastening or adhering a sensor to the table. In another embodiment, a sensor is placed on each of the two halves of a table tennis table and/or one sensor is configured and arranged to detect vibration of a table tennis net. Preferably the sensors are calibrated to detect qualifying sounds or vibrations such as made by the impact of a table tennis ball, while filtering out extraneous noise or other vibrations (such as someone bumping the table). When a qualifying sound or vibration is detected by a sensor, a signal is sent to the microcontroller to communicate that a table tennis ball has made contact with the table and/or net. If no qualifying sound or vibration is detected by a sensor, no signal may be sent to the microcontroller.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a microcontroller may be enclosed in a housing integrated with a table tennis net support. The net support may be formed with a compartment for the microcontroller to be placed, connections for one or more sensors, and/or a location or connections for a power supply. In one embodiment, the housing also includes one or more displays and/or one or more speakers. Optionally, the housing may also include lights, such as LEDs to indicate certain game conditions.

In certain embodiments, scoring systems include a remote with one or more buttons for manually adjusting the score of a player or players, or other aspects of the game. The remote may be wired or wireless. Example buttons on the remote may be used to power on and/or off the unit, to start a game, to end a game, to manually adjust the score of a game due to a scoring or other error, and/or to select the version of a table tennis game to be played. Alternately, one or more buttons may be integrated into the housing. Buttons may be used to increment, decrement, or reset a score to zero.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a speaker is used as part of the system. A speaker may be used to play a sound effect, to indicate the system's state, and/or to announce a score. In some embodiments, a sound effect is played to indicate that the system has been powered on, is ready for a game to commence, a player or players has won the game, and/or to indicate that the system is in an error state.

Any suitable display may be used in embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, in certain embodiments LCD or LED displays are used. In one particular embodiment, two two-digit numeric LCD or two two-digit alphanumeric LCD displays on each side are used to indicate the number of points a player or players have in a game. In another embodiment, the LCD that indicates the number of points a player or players have in a game may also be used to indicate which players or players are to serve in the game. For example, the score of the player that is to serve may be set to flash at a suitable rate, i.e., the score of the player to serve is in an illuminated state for 1 second followed by a non-illuminated state for 1 second. If it does not matter which player or teams of players is to serve, i.e., at the state of a game, both scores may flash to indicate that either player or team of players may serve. In one particular embodiment, the score of one player or players is illuminated in one color, for example green, and the score of the opposing player or players is in another color, for example red.

A power supply may be used to power systems of the present disclosure. Such power supplies may supply power in direct current (DC) and/or alternating current (AC). Power supplies may convert current from an AC form to a DC form. In some embodiments, a battery is used as a power supply.

The automatic scoring system of the present disclosure may be attached to a table tennis table using any suitable means. For example, the microcontroller or display housing may be directly attached to a table tennis table with a clamp, or, the microcontroller or display housing may be affixed to a net post in some embodiments. In one preferred embodiment, a post for positioning the microcontroller or display housing is attached to a table tennis table and the housing is affixed to this post and the table tennis net is affixed to the external surface of the housing.

Methods for automatically scoring a table tennis game are also disclosed. These methods, along with the rules of various varieties of table tennis games provide the framework for automatically scoring table tennis games.

In some embodiments, methods for automatically scoring a table tennis game played on a table tennis table include the steps of determining if a sensor is operational, indicating that a serve may proceed, detecting a vibration or absence of vibration formed by contact between a table tennis ball with a table tennis table or between a table tennis ball and a table tennis net, determining which player served, determining if a point should be awarded based on the detecting a vibration or absence of a vibration, modifying the score of a table tennis game, and/or displaying the score of a table tennis game.

In another embodiment, methods for automatically scoring a table tennis game played on a table tennis table comprise the step of running a diagnostic on the system. In some embodiments, this step of running a diagnostic comprises the test of testing a sensor to determine if a sensor is operating normally by, for example, testing, analyzing, or otherwise checking if a sensor is plugged in to the system. In one embodiment, a simple continuity test may be performed on the sensor circuit to determine if the sensor is plugged in. In another embodiment, a sample signal may be obtained from a sensor and analyzed to determine if the sensor is operating normally.

In yet another embodiment, one or more sounds may be played. Such sounds may, for example, be a sound effect, or may be a sound designed to mimic the human voice. Example phrases that may be generated through a speaker include, but are not limited to, “Service over”, “Scoring”, “Two players”, “Four players”, “Eleven points”, “Twenty one points”, and/or “Select game”. A sound may be used to indicate that a game may begin, that a player may serve, that a player should not have served, that the system is operating properly, that the system is not operating properly, that an error has occurred, and/or upon any other suitable condition.

In still another embodiment, an indication that a player may proceed to serve is given. This step may be performed by, for example, flashing the display showing the score of a player who is to serve, playing a sound, and/or any other suitable method of indicating that a player may proceed to serve.

In some embodiments, the system includes detecting a vibration or sound and/or detecting the absence of a vibration or sound. Events such as contact between a table tennis ball and a table tennis table and/or contact between a table tennis ball and a table tennis net may be detected by the vibration and/or sound that occurs during such an event. In one embodiment, the occurrence of such an event is correlated with the time that such an event occurred, other occurrences of such events, the location of such event or other events and/or other detected events to determine if a player has served, if a point has concluded, and/or if a point should be awarded to a player. The placement of a sensor may be used to indicate the location where such an event occurred, for example on which side of a table tennis table an event occurred on.

In one embodiment, a unit of time is used to measure the occurrence of a vibration or sound and/or an absence of a vibration or sound. The unit of time may be used, for example, to detect that a ball did not impact the table when expected, thus indicating a miss or error which triggers a change in the score. Units of 1 ms, 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 50 ms, 100 ms, 1 s, and/or other units of time may be used. As few as one time parameter may be used in calculations for automatically scoring a table tennis game played on a table tennis table, however, a plurality of time intervals may be used in such calculations. Optionally, the time parameters can be modified, for example, in one embodiment when the “START” button is pressed for 2 seconds, systems and methods of the present disclosure may enter a time setting mode where time parameters may be modified.

In some embodiments, signal processing or calibration may be used to condition and/or otherwise modify the signal received by a microcontroller or other controller in determining if and/or when an event has occurred. Signal processing that may be used in embodiments of the present disclosure include the minimization or removal of noise; increase or decrease of frequencies detected by a sensor, for example, the removal of low frequencies that may indicate that a table tennis table has been bumped or otherwise moved during a point; and/or any other suitable signal processing that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Embodiments of certain methods include determining if a point should be awarded to a player or players and/or modifying the displayed score. Such a determination may be made, for example, by a calculation using parameters such as, but not limited to, the location of the last vibration or sound detected, which sensor detected such vibration or sounds, a vibration or absence of a vibration detected by a net sensor, and/or the time interval between such events and/or other events. When it is determined that a point should be awarded to a player and/or players, the score of a game is modified. This may be done by modifying the value of a variable used by a microcontroller and/or displaying the modified value on a display. The score of the game may also be indicated by audibly announcing the score through a speaker. In other embodiments, the score may be communicated to other devices by, for example, through wired and/or wireless communication protocols.

FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, generally designated 100, a system for automatically scoring a table tennis game played on a table is plugged in (101) and may be in a power-saving and/or OFF state (102). The power button can be pressed to turn the system ON or OFF (103). When powered ON, a sensor can be tested for eligibility and/or proper functioning (104, 106, 108). If a sensor is in an error state, an error message may be displayed on a display (105, 107, 109). The display may display options for selecting a table tennis game variant to be played, for example 2 or 4 player games, 11 or 21 points to be played, and the system may enter a stand-by or power-saving mode (110). The POWER button may be depressed to power off the system, for example by depressing the POWER button for 2 seconds (111). The options for a table tennis game may be modified by pressing one or more buttons on a remote attached to the system (112, 113, 114, 115). For example, the buttons generally designated “A+” and “A-” may change the game from a 2-player game to a 4-player game, or vice-versa (116). The buttons generally designated “B+” and “B-” may change the game from being played to 11-points to 21-points, or vice-versa (117).

A remote for the automatic scoring system may comprise a “START” button. typically pressed to initiate the start a game. For example pressing the “START” button (123) may initiate a system test including testing the sensors to ensure they are connected and operating normally (124). If the sensors are not operating normally, an error message may be displayed and/or an error sound may be played (125). If the system components are operating normally, the game may begin (126, 128), and the display may blink to show which player may serve. For example, if the scores of both player and/or players are blinking at the same time, either player and/or team may serve (127).

In certain embodiments the remote may also be used to selectively modify one or more parameters used by the system. For example, by pressing one or more of the buttons on the remote (119, 120). Typically, this mode may be exited by pressing the “START” button to save the settings and begin a game (121).

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an electronic circuit that can be used for one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, an electronic circuit generally designated 200 comprises many common electrical components such as, for example, microcontrollers or integrated circuits (222, 257, 235), electrical connections to microcontroller or integrated circuits (225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 256, 258), diodes (262), capacitors (232, 263, 255, 210), switches (212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217), sensors (218, 219, 220), resistors (202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 223, 224, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 266), speaker (230), display units (250, 251, 252, 253), connections to ground (211, 221, 231, 261, 264, 254, 234, 259), battery (260), jack for a power supply (265), and/or positive supply voltages (201, 233). Other additional circuitry or electrical components may be used as would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of the present disclosure 501 attached to table tennis table 509. In this embodiment, table tennis net 502 attaches to a housing 501 with displays 510 and 511 via tabs 503 and 504 that are inserted into retaining elements 505 and 506 by inserting the tabs into the space 507 and 508 created by retaining elements 505 and 506.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present disclosure generally labeled 601. In this embodiment, a housing includes displays 614 and 615 and encloses a battery 616. The housing is attached to a table tennis table 607 by a clamp 613. The housing has a mounting section 617 with upper and lower post sections 606. A table tennis net 602 may be connected to the post sections 606 by a connecting element or loop 605, for example using a strap or loop of material made of elastic or wrapped around a post section and secured to itself with Velcro® hook and loop fasteners. The table tennis table is supported by support element 609. A sensor 608 is attached to the underside of the table tennis table 610 and is electronically connected to the housing by wire 611. A net sensor 603 including a wire 604 is sewn into tape at the top of the net. The net sensor 603 is electronically connected to the housing by wire 612.

The uses of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar references in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. In addition, all references cited herein are indicative of the level of skill in the art and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for automatically scoring a table tennis game played on a table tennis table, said system comprising: one or more sensors mounted on a table tennis table and net for detecting a vibration or absence of vibration formed by contact between a table tennis ball with a table tennis table or between a table tennis ball and a table tennis net; a housing comprising one or more displays for displaying the score of a table tennis game; a microcontroller associated with said housing and operatively connected to said sensors and said one or more displays, said microcontroller programmed with scoring logic for a table tennis game, wherein said microcontroller operates to determine the current game score, to change the game score and to change the displayed game score based on the scoring logic and signals received from said sensors
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said one or more sensors comprises three sensors including a net vibration sensor.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said net vibration sensor is integral to a net support.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said three sensors comprise two table sensors.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein said two table sensors comprise vibration sensors.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein said vibration sensors are mounted to the underside portions of a table tennis table.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a button to override the scoring logic of the microcontroller to selectively adjust the score of a player.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said table tennis table comprises two halves of a table tennis table with a gap between said two halves and wherein said table tennis net support is configured to arrange a table tennis net over said gap.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein said display comprises an alpha-numeric LED display.
 10. A method for automatically scoring a table tennis game played by one or more players, said method comprising the steps of: providing one or more sensors mounted on a table tennis table and net for detecting a vibration or absence of vibration formed by contact between a table tennis ball with a table tennis table or between a table tennis ball and a table tennis net; operatively connecting the sensors with a microcontroller programmed with scoring logic for a table tennis game; having the microcontroller provide an indication indicating that a serve by a player may proceed; operating the sensors to detect a vibration or absence of vibration formed by contact between a table tennis ball with a table tennis table or between a table tennis ball and a table tennis net; applying the scoring logic to determine if a point should be awarded based on detecting a vibration or absence of vibration; modifying the score of said table tennis game; and displaying an updated score of said table tennis game.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said indicating that a serve may proceed is performed by flashing the displayed score of the player that is to serve.
 12. The method of claim 10, comprising playing a sound effect to indicate an error condition.
 13. The method of claim 10, comprising playing a sound effect to indicate that the system is operating properly.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein a user may control the microcontroller to select between a two player game and a four player game.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein a user may control the microcontroller to select the number of points to be played in said tennis table game.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein the microcontroller triggers a sound or light indicator to indicate that a player has won the table tennis game.
 17. The method of claim 10, comprising manually overriding the scoring logic of the microcontroller to selectively adjust the score of a player.
 18. A table tennis table comprising: a first table section defining half of a table tennis playing surface and having an underside; a second table section adjacent said first table section and defining half of a table tennis playing surface and having an underside; a net arranged between said first table section and said second table section; a first sensor mounted to the underside portion of said first table section, said sensor operable to detect a vibration or absence of a vibration formed by contact between a table tennis ball and said first table section; a second sensor mounted to the underside portion of said second table section said sensor operable to detect a vibration or absence of a vibration formed by contact between a table tennis ball and said second table section; a net sensor configured and arranged to detect a vibration or absence of a vibration in said net; at least one score display to display the current game score; and, a microcontroller in communication with said first sensor, said second sensor or said net sensor and said at least one display, said microcontroller programmed with scoring logic to determine the current game score, to change the displayed game score based on signals from said sensors and to control the score shown on said display.
 19. The table tennis table of claim 18, wherein said table tennis table is a foldable table tennis table.
 20. The table tennis table of claim 18, wherein said microcontroller is mounted in a housing the adjacent portions of said first table section and said second table section, wherein said net is mounted to said housing. 